Stories from Friday, December 22, 2017

Poplar Bluff City Council member Philip Crocker says he does not plan at this time to run for a second term. In a comment for a Wednesday article in the Daily American Republic, Crocker indicated he would file for the April 3 election. Crocker offered a correction Thursday, saying he misunderstood the message he received...

Students at Lake Road Elementary are riding in style after a donation of 30 bicycles from Academy Sports and Outdoors. The giveaway was part of Academy's annual holiday bicycle donation program, a 15-year tradition for the company which spreads cheer during the Christmas season...

The Oak Grove Homemakers Club met Wednesday, Dec. 13, for a Christmas Luncheon and meeting at the home of Tammie Bogie. Co-hostess was Eyvette Ward. The home displayed exquisite Christmas décor of red, white, glittered decorations. Dorothy Robbins gave the invocation for the meal...

By MONA CHAREN Several years ago, we had a problem with a merchant. We declined to pay a disputed bill and got a call from a collection agency. The caller was both aggressive and cagey, declining to tell me who he was. I handed the phone to my lawyer husband, who listened for a minute or two and then turned the tables. ...

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo.-The Butler County Health Department has received agrant award from Missouri Foundation for Health. Funding for this project was provided in whole by Missouri Foundation for Health. The foundation is a resource for the region, working with communities and nonprofits to generate and accelerate positive changes in health. ...

By ADRIANA COHEN President Donald Trump is loading his sleigh with gifts for the American people this holiday season. And thanks to the businessman's leadership, along with a newly congealed Republican caucus, workers are already feeling the benefit of the GOP's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act -- before Santa enjoys his first Christmas cookie...

By GEORGE F. WILL "The intellectual cannot operate at room temperature." --Eric Hoffer, "First Things, Last Things" (1971) WASHINGTON -- Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) meant that intellectuals in his day tended not to be temperate. In our day, this defect -- moral overheating -- has been democratized: Anyone can have it. Now, everybody can be happily furious, delirious with hysteria and intoxicated with intimations of apocalypse, all day every day...

Linda Lou Phillips, 75, long-time resident of Poplar Bluff, Mo., passed from this earthly life and went home to be with the Lord Jesus, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017, at her home in Poplar Bluff. Linda was born Oct. 2, 1942, in Wardell, Mo., to parents Wiley and Mildred Vickery. She grew up on a farm in Wardell, Mo. where she learned the value of responsibility and hard work...

DONIPHAN, Mo. - Mr. C. H. Pippin, 89, of Doniphan, Mo., died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Mr. Pippin, son of Henry and Eula (Carson) Pippin, was born Oct. 3, 1928, in Calm, Mo. He had been employed with General Motors in the Parts Division, and was also a mechanic on forklifts. ...

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. - Debra Ann Potter, 56, of Wappapello, Mo., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017. Debbie, the daughter of Velbert Earl Hammack and Ted Ola Williams, was born April 21, 1961 in St. Louis, Mo. She was of the Baptist faith. Debbie was a long time employee of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, where she was a secretary for the Same Day Services Department. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren...

BROSELEY -- The Dexter Bearcats defense left Chaffee a bit shaken Thursday night in the semifinals of the Lady Royals Christmas Classic. The top-seeded Bearcats received a big first half from Hannah Thurmon and surges of smothering defense to beat Chaffee 74-41 at Twin Rivers High School...

BROSELEY -- Neelyville booked its seventh reservation in eight years for the Lady Royals Classic championship game with relentless pressure and 24 forced turnovers. The No. 2 Tigers had big runs to open the game and then the second half to beat No. 3 Twin Rivers 65-40 on Thursday night...

BROSELEY -- Callee Pickrell was held in check on Tuesday, but not so much Thursday as Naylor beat Kennett 59-43 in the fifth place semifinal at the Lady Royals Christmas Classic. The senior forward led Naylor (4-7) with 33 points, including a 10 for 14 performance at the free-throw line, after getting 15 in Tuesday's loss to Chaffee...